TWU basketball: Spartans stretch streak to six
The Trinity Western Spartans won their sixth straight game in impressive fashion, using a balanced scoring attack to down the host Regina Cougars 104-68 on Saturday.
Combined with a 105-74 win the night before over the Brandon Bobcats, the Spartans improved to 8-6 in the Canada West men's basketball standings and just one game back of the Fraser Valley Cascades (9-5) heading into this weekend's showdown in Abbotsford.
“We had great overall team effort tonight, especially defensively. Our guys are pushing as hard as they can and giving everything that they have,” said Trinity Western head coach Scott Allen, following Saturday's win.
“Everybody’s confidence is running high now and it is good to see everyone play lots.”
The Spartans had seven players in double digits and shot nearly 53 per cent from the field. They also connected on 59.1 per cent of their three-point attempts.
Calvin Westbrook led the way with 19 points, while Lucian Sauciuc came off the bench to score 15.
In fact, the Spartans bench nearly outscored the Regina starting five, with 41 points, compared to the Cougars 43.
Against the Bobcats in Brandon, the Spartans played unselfishly, finishing with 19 assists.
"We were really unselfish today and the 19 assists showed that we were making the extra pass," Allen said.
"We got a lot of transition and easy looks and everyone contributed."
Smith had the hot hand for the Spartans, putting up 31 points on 11-of-15 shooting, which included five-of-six from beyond the arc. He also had 10 assists.
The game was a one-point affair after the first quarter, but the Spartans used a strong second and third period — they outscored the Bobcats 60-38 over those 20 minutes — to take control.
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